Process for protecting lawns



Patented Dec. 1 8, 1928.

I UNITED STATES JOHN-H. ATWATER, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

PROCESS FOR PROTECTING LAWNS.

No Drawing.

This invention relates to a method of making lawns and briefly aims toprovide a method which enables the lawn ,to be more expeditiously madeand which at the same 5 time protects the seeded ground against injuryfrom all harmful causes, the present application being filed insubstitution and continuation in part of ana'pplication Ser.

No; 7 528,271, filed July 25, 1924.

10 In making lawns, many difficulties have I been experienced, which upto the present time have never been completely orsatisfactorilyovercome. Certain of these difiiculties are, the necessity forprotecting the freshly seeded ground from dogs or other animals, fromwashouts, from baking in the hot sun and from birds or insects or fromany other causes which destroy the seed or the young. grass before ithas a chance to take firm root. Prior to this invention attempts havebeen made to afford this protection by the use of brush, tar, paper,etc., but experience has proven that this is not sufficient and that inspite of all that is done, the grass will come up slowly and lacksuniformity in growth. r

The primary ob'ect of this invention is to overcome these difiicultiesby so protecting the newly seeded ground that it cannotbe harmed by anyof these elements, and furthermore, to cover moisture and prevent thedrying ofthe sur-' face under the heat of the sun, thus permitting' themaking of new lawns in dry as well at wet weather which was never beforepossible.

The process in question may be described briefly as covering the newlyseeded ground with burlap or other coarse textured fabric. The fabricmust possess the property of absorbing moisture and ofretaining thelatter for an appreciable length of time, and is moistened from time totime by sprinkling in the usual manner,

in the weaving of which interstices are expressly provided between thewarp and the woof, and which are of a size to permit the tender grasssprouts to freely pass therethrough, so that the newly seeded groundgardless of the weather, thus creating the most favorable condition forthe germination of the seed.

the earth after the seed .01 mesh has been sown with means which willretain is kept dark and moist re-' Application filed January 7, 1927.Serial No. 159,744.

' This covering of fabric acts to protect the ground from animalsbecause even though it be walkedover, the depths of the resultant footprints are lessened and the soil is protected against removal ordisplacement. Even though some soil may clingto the underside of thefabric, it soon dropsbaek so that no material injury to the: finishedlawn-results; Moreover, it is a well known fact that seed pressed intothe prepared ground will may be'taken of this by walking over, rollmg,or otherwise pressin down the fabric covered ground or by wal ing on thefabric while sprinkling it. v p

Furthermore, where the lawn is to be made upon a terrace or in any otherparticularly exposed or difiicult location, the fabric covering protectsthe soil against washouts or other unfavorable "action by the elements.

' Moreover, by use of the present invention,

the seed, which is initially scattered upon the ground, is protectedagainst being eaten. by birds, chickens or insects.

The character of the fabric employed, while preferably burlap, kinds, itbeing an express requirement, however, that the fabric be possessed ofmoisture absorbing properties and that-its weave be such as toafford apractically foraminated structure, wherein there are interstices betweenthe warp and woof or otherwise formed of a size to permit tender grasssprouts to freely find their way therethrough. The length of timethroughout which the fabric is permitted to remain on the ground mayvary, dependingupon climatic conditions and the rapidity of germination.

By'the provision ofa foraminated fabric or other structure, as setforth, it will further be noted that, due to the moisture-retainingproperties of the fabric and the uniform spacing or arrangement of theinterstices, which latter occur in substantially continuous relation, aresultant uniform growth of the planting is encouraged.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection by Letters Patent is 1. The process of making lawnsconsisting in preparing the ground, sowing seed therecan be of otherroot more quickly and advantage I on, covering the newly seeded groundwith coarse textured fabric having moisture absorbing and retainingproperties which rests directly on the ground, and which is woven to 5provide interstices between the warp and woof of a size to permit tendergrass sprouts to freely pass therethrough, keeping said fabric moist andallowing it to remain upon the ground until the seeds germinate and the10 grass sprouts appear above the ground through said interstices.

2. The process of making lawns consisting in preparing the ground,sowing seed thereon,

covering the newly seeded ground with coarse In testimony whereof I haveafixed my signature.

JOHN H. ATWATER.

